Diabetes is a clinical syndrome characterized by raised levels of blood glucose levels due to deficiency of insulin (absolute and/or relative). Diabetes mellitus is further differentiated into two major types: type 1 diabetes mellitus and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Know let's get to know all major symptoms of diabetes.
What Symptoms Will You Have When Suffering from Diabetes?
Type 1 diabetes mellitus usually affects people younger than 40 years of age. Usually, it presents with sudden onset of symptoms (frequent urination, increased thirst, increased hunger, fatigue and weight loss). Occasionally it might be first discovered after an episode of ketoacidosis during an intercurrent illness, like a respiratory tract infection or any surgery or any other severe stress.
Type 2 diabetes mellitus is usually asymptomatic in the beginning and generally it is discovered on routine screening or because of the symptoms due to one or more complications of the long standing diabetes. This condition is more common in people with age above 40 years. Ketoacidosis is very rare in type 2 diabetes mellitus. However, the affected person may develop hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state (HHS).
The table given below lists the most commonly observed symptoms of diabetes. Ketoacidosis and hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state (HHS) are described later.
Table 1: Symptoms Accompanying Diabetes
Diabetes Types |
Symptoms |
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Type 1 Diabetes |
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Type 2 Diabetes |
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Symptoms When Complications of Diabetes Happen
Long standing diabetes mellitus affects many organ systems of the body and is associated with numerous complications. The most commonly observed complications and their symptoms are listed in the table below. It is important to note that not all complications and their symptoms will occur in every person with diabetes.
Table 2: Complications of DM and the Symptoms
Complications of Diabetes |
Symptoms |
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Eye Diseases |
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Nephropathy |
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Coronary Artery Disease |
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Immune System Dysfunction |
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Impaired Wound Healing |
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Neuropathy |
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Foot Ulcers |
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Gastroparesis |
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Skin Diseases |
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Peripheral Arterial Disease |
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Symptoms of Diabetes Due to Medical/Surgical Emergencies
Some of the complications of diabetes mellitus are immediately life threatening and require immediate medical or surgical intervention. These are mentioned separately in the table given below. Hypoglycemia is easily treatable by taking glucose and hospitalization is not needed for it. It is mentioned here because it can be fatal if it is not recognized immediately.
Table 3: Emergency Conditions in DM
Emergency Conditions |
Symptoms |
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Diabetic Ketoacidosis (Type 1 DM) |
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Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic State (Type 2 DM) |
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Hypoglycemia (treatment complication) |
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Stroke (Cerebrovascular Accidents) |
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Infected Diabetic Foot |
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Myocardial Infarction (Heart Attack) |
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